Prince Michael of Kent has given his backing to the inaugural Newcastle Film Festival
An international film festival to be held in Newcastle has been given the official royal seal of approval.
The inaugural Newcastle Film Festival is due to take place next spring and has already attract thousands of entries from around the globe.
It has been organised by the Newcastle Festival Team which Prince Michael of Kent is a patron of.
Voicing his support for the festival, Prince Michael said the North East was the “perfect location” to host such an event.
He said:
“I am delighted to have been asked to offer my support to the Newcastle International Film Festival''.
“It is a new and exciting initiative aimed at increasing job prospects and economic impact in an area of the country that has provided the UK and indeed the world such an array of talent from the arts and creative industry over the years''.
“There are many talented performers from the region who can testify that the North East of England is the perfect location to host a major film festival.”
Organisers announced plans for the ambitious project at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
So far, more than 2,000 entries from 82 countries around the world have been received.
Taking place from March 29 to April 1 next year, the organisers are promising a “carnival of cinema, film and world class documentaries”.
There will be a series of movie related events during the festival.
This will include master-classes and question and answer sessions from legendary names of the silver screen.
Prince Michael continued: “The inaugural event will take place over Easter weekend next year and there is much to look forward to with some very interesting British films as well as world premiers, shorts and music videos.
“I wish everyone behind the festival, the competitors and the general public every possible success, and hope that this is the first of many such festivals in the future.”
President of the Newcastle Film Festival Jacqui Miller-Charlton said:
“It is the greatest honour imaginable to have Prince Michael of Kent as Patron of the film festival''.
“This is an international festival, attracting worldwide entries and interest and to get a royal seal of approval is very special indeed''.
“We are delighted to be attracting some very high profile sponsors, such as Heathrow Airport, Gateshead College and Goldfinch Studios''.
“Please get in touch if you would like to sponsor the Festival too”